Salvation Army to shutter teen shelters

The Salvation Army Greater New York Division is closing down its adolescent housing program and laying off 98 full- and part-time staffers.

The agency will shutter at least six facilities where adolescents who couldnt find foster families or were awaiting trial, received shelter. The sites include Manhattan West on West 127th Street and Glover, on East. 162nd Street in the Bronx. The cuts will be made in September.

A source close to the agency said the Salvation Army decided to shut down the program because it was unlikely to get enough city funding to cover its increasing costs. About 72 teens lived in these facilities, and all of whom will be transferred to other group homes.

The layoffs represent a small piece of the Salvation Armys workforce of 1,500. Officials at the Salvation Army were unavailable for comment.

Overall, the social services group has fared well during the recession. The agencys operating budget for the current fiscal year that started Oct. 1 is $142.6 million, up slightly from last years budget of $141.7 million. Unlike many other nonprofits, fundraising has held steady. The problem is that demand for the Salvation Armys services has skyrocketedfood pantries are seeing a jump in demand of up to 200% and the number of people in need of shelter has spiked 40%.

The nonprofit is scrambling to find new ways to draw more income to meet these increases in demand. In July, the agency is bringing out its famous Christmas kettles and bell ringers for a weeklong campaign called Christmas in July, in an effort to drum up more income.

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